'Budget Cut Announced for Police Suppression-Related Expenses'
The Democratic Party of Korea, the Party for Justice and Innovation, the Progressive Party, the Social Democratic Party, and the Basic Income Party on the 19th called for an apology from Police Commissioner Jo Ji-ho and urged measures to prevent recurrence regarding the violent crackdown at the anti-Yoon Seok-yeol government rally.
Hanchangmin, leader of the Social Democratic Party, is being subdued by the police. Online community.
Ten lawmakers including Park Ju-min, Lee Yong-woo, Kim Yoon, Park Hong-bae, and Kang Kyung-sook of the Democratic Party, Jeong Chun-saeng of the Party for Justice and Innovation, Yoon Jong-oh and Jeong Hye-kyung of the Progressive Party, Han Chang-min of the Social Democratic Party, and Yong Hye-in of the Basic Income Party held a press conference in front of the Seoul Seodaemun-gu Police Agency on the same day, criticizing, “On the 9th, the Korean police branded themselves as violent police henchmen of the regime,” and “11 workers and citizens were detained, and Han Chang-min lawmaker was subjected to ruthless violence resulting in a broken rib and serious injury.”
They stated, “Commissioner Jo did not apologize but only made absurd excuses,” and pointed out, “He said it is unclear whether Han Chang-min’s injury was caused by police force and made ridiculous claims that it was staged with a YouTuber.” They added, “Stop the investigation into the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions and punish those responsible for the violent crackdown,” and “Apologize to the public for injuring Han Chang-min and damaging his reputation by spreading false information.”
Lawmaker Park Ju-min emphasized, “Freedom of expression is second only to the right to life, and among them, the right to assembly is a very important fundamental right. The management of the recent rally violated this principle,” and said, “The police must apologize and change their approach to handling assemblies.” Lawmaker Jeong Chun-saeng said, “We proposed cutting the budget related to police crackdowns and will push this through until the end tomorrow,” and added, “We cannot tolerate the mischaracterization of the rally as an illegal assembly.” Lawmaker Han Chang-min stated, “From beginning to end, the police’s purpose was control and suppression,” and sharply criticized, “We condemn the command that reduced the police to a tool for destroying democracy.”
Democratic Party lawmakers Park Ju-min, Lee Yong-woo, Kim Yoon, Park Hong-bae, and Kang Kyung-sook, Justice Innovation Party lawmaker Jeong Chun-saeng, Progressive Party lawmakers Yoon Jong-oh and Jeong Hye-kyung, Social Democratic Party lawmaker Han Chang-min, and Basic Income Party lawmaker Yong Hye-in are holding a press conference in front of the Seoul Seodaemun-gu Police Agency. Photo by Lim Chun-han
Earlier, on the 9th during the government criticism rally, Lawmaker Han Chang-min suffered a fracture injury. Han explained, “The police blocked the road as if they could not tolerate the rally formation expanding. We agreed to clear the first lane, but they ignored it. A scuffle broke out during the forced push. I identified myself as a member of the National Assembly and shouted that such clashes would cause injuries, but they were relentless. Eventually, I was pushed down to the ground and carried away. My clothes were torn, and I sustained bruises all over my body.”
Commissioner Jo refused to apologize regarding the controversy over excessive police force at the rally. On the 14th, at the National Assembly’s Public Administration and Security Committee plenary meeting, Commissioner Jo said, “Everyone has confirmed through various channels, and there are differing evaluations. Some facts differ, but I do not think it is appropriate to debate the details,” and added, “I regret that people were injured. The basic principle that police authority must be exercised with restraint and minimally remains unchanged now and will continue to be so.”
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
